[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6576723,"mediaKeyId","3068961-5e093005664f9cd73c426e95ae38cf43","parentId",3068961,"title","Votes at a glance: Commission approves minutes, grants, contracts, dues and director pay increase","audioSeconds",3646,"startMs",2823000,"endMs",6469000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3068961-5e093005664f9cd73c426e95ae38cf43&start=2823&end=6469","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3068961-5e093005664f9cd73c426e95ae38cf43/thumbnail_2823000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6576723/Oklahoma/Votes-at-a-glance-Commission-approves-minutes-grants-contracts-dues-and-director-pay-increase","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576723-e24e76bb03d13b391acac813a85277c5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442605&Signature=XONZ52VYysPNg4Ghugvium1Fnx~y8b3tuRJ2g6Yzf6trz8MF~wdJYs7am91nq17TmmnHfS1x2FloRrNeEJeZOG12gNlhbEBElXyMT7k4969wqWyyz2T96h24sLKg4e2C7xD4Refko9TFF6ncXRzv6FfuXHKHJDUfxA7m7DrDYrfTKZ-CDu44d0~pkvlOL5Vb9ySazN-JT~~8kvzR~WdpwPfJeGHy4C5mBnZTHTKZo2oT7BuTjQIeaguyzy32b3geXyc3N731yzx8KjeSQ9SqscuXzVZlGFIyACx1Z6e0Cb8eXrsl3jhW8mVrU8o5JWw3F24lA3KMu5in~Vi07k29PQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Aeronautics Commission","date","2025-04-21T14:57:39.147Z","article","The Oklahoma Aerospace and Aeronautics Commission took several formal actions at its Oct. 9 meeting. Below are the motions, vote outcomes and key details for each recorded action. All votes below reference the roll calls recorded in the meeting transcript.

Votes and key outcomes

1) Approval of minutes (09/16/2024 draft)
- Motion: Approve minutes.
- Outcome: Approved.
- Vote (roll call excerpts): Commissioner Seth Phillips (Aye); Chairman Charles Ortega (Aye); Commissioner Ripps (Aye); Commissioner Blake Rainey (Aye); Commissioner Jerry Hunter (Aye). (Transcript roll call indicates unanimous approval of those present.)

2) Item 7 — Approval to proceed with legislative/congressional/regulatory agenda slate
- Motion: Move approval to proceed developing the legislative slate (standardization items A & B, incentives, 5‑year ACP insertion into statute, advanced air mobility items).
- Outcome: Approved.
- Vote: Unanimous of recorded roll call (Phillips, Ortega, Ritz, Rainey, Hunter recorded as 'Aye').

3) Item 8 — NASEO annual convention report and approval of annual dues
- Motion: Approve continued membership/annual dues for NASEO.
- Outcome: Approved.
- Vote: Unanimous of recorded roll call (Aye votes recorded for Phillips, Ortega, Ritz, Rainey, Hunter).

4) Item 9 — Airport Construction Grant Program (consent docket)
- Motion: Approve multiple airport construction grants including (examples recorded): Enid Woodring taxi lane construction (~$1,300,000 total; department share $426,542.50); Watonga west side apron/partial parallel taxiway (project cost ~ $1,500,000; department share ~$683,741); Sand Springs Jet A fuel system (~$563,124; department share ~$281,562 under 50/50 fuel program).
- Outcome: Approved.
- Vote: Unanimous of recorded roll call (Aye recorded for Commissioners Phillips, Ortega, Ritz, Rainey, Hunter).

5) Item 10 — Airport project consultant task orders (consent docket)
- Motion: Approve task order agreements for consultants on behalf of multiple airports (Clinton‑Sherman ALP/property map & terminal conceptual design; Atoka environmental assessment and land appraisal; Duncan pavement section design; Pawhuska survey/geotech and final runway design). Total amounts varied per contract (examples: Clinton‑Sherman conceptual terminal $33,500; Atoka EA/appraisal $169,900; Duncan pavement design $29,000; Pawhuska design $264,000).
- Outcome: Approved.
- Vote: Unanimous of recorded roll call (Aye recorded).

6) Item 11 — PREP (Progressing Rural Economic Prosperity) fund commercial air service application: Oklahoma City request
- Motion: Approve application and allocate PREP funds (staff recommended up to $2,000,000) to Oklahoma City for commercial air service development; partnership to include Oklahoma City Economic Alliance and OKC Will Rogers International Airport. Local match $500,000 committed by Oklahoma City.
- Outcome: Approved.
- Vote: Unanimous of recorded roll call (Aye recorded).

7) Item 13 — Unmanned aircraft assistance contract award (Vigilant Aerospace Systems Inc.)
- Motion: Enter into contract with Vigilant Aerospace Systems Inc. for Phase‑1 BVLOS radar/airspace installation for $1,618,000.
- Outcome: Approved.
- Vote: Roll call recorded affirmative votes from Commissioner Seth Phillips, Chairman Charles Ortega, Commissioner Lindy Ritz, Vice Chair Blake Rainey and Commissioner Jerry Hunter (yes:5; absent:2).

8) Item 16 — Aerospace education classroom laboratory improvement grants (consent docket)
- Motion: Approve recommended grants to 12 school districts and institutions (sample recipients and amounts: Altus; Bridge Creek; Burns Flat‑Dill City; Durant; Jenks $38,500; Konawa $13,500; Oklahoma Baptist University $27,500; Perry $22,900; Putnam City Aviation Academy $40,000; Stillwater $20,000; Weatherford $10,000; Wright City $32,000). Staff recommended approval for all 12 awards.
- Outcome: Approved.
- Vote: Unanimous of recorded roll call (Aye recorded for Commissioners present).

9) Item 17 — Sponsorships consent docket
- Motion: Approve two sponsorships, $25,000 each, for Women in Aviation Day (Dec. 6) and Aerospace Week activities including Aero Day at the Capitol (March 31).
- Outcome: Approved.
- Vote: Unanimous of recorded roll call (Aye recorded).

10) Item 21 — Schedule of 2025 commission meetings
- Motion: Approve proposed 2025 meeting dates (with revised 9 a.m. start time).
- Outcome: Approved.
- Vote: Unanimous of recorded roll call (Aye recorded).

11) Executive session (Item 23) and subsequent action on director compensation
- Motion (post‑executive session): Increase the director’s salary by 24% with annual reviews no less frequently than every 12 months.
- Outcome: Approved.
- Vote: Roll call recorded affirmative votes (Commissioner Seth Phillips, Chairman Charles Ortega, Commissioner Lindy Ritz, Commissioner Blake Rainey, Commissioner Jerry Hunter; yes:5).

Where to find details: Each consent item and contract is described in the meeting packet; staff presenters noted project‑level amounts and local matches where applicable. For items that listed multiple projects (consent dockets), staff included specific project costs and the department share during the presentations. For procurement and contract awards, staff noted the funding sources and next steps.

If a specific roll‑call name or amount is required for recordkeeping, the meeting transcript and packet should be consulted for the exact line‑by‑line entry; the transcript records the roll call 'Aye' votes for those present at each recorded vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","ODAA Commission Meeting, Oct. 9, 2024","oneSentenceSummary","At its Oct. 9 meeting the Oklahoma Aerospace and Aeronautics Commission approved minutes, multiple grant and consultant consent items, dues and sponsorships, a $2 million PREP commercial service request for Oklahoma City, a $1.618M BVLOS contract, classroom lab grants, and a 24% salary increase for the director.","taxTitle","Aeronautics Commission, Executive, Oklahoma","taxId",27362,"location","Oklahoma","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6576728,"Commission awards $1.618 million BVLOS radar/airspace contract to Vigilant Aerospace to support drone testing",249,2549000,2798000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3068961-5e093005664f9cd73c426e95ae38cf43&start=2549&end=2798","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3068961-5e093005664f9cd73c426e95ae38cf43/thumbnail_2549000.jpg","/articles/6576728/Oklahoma/Commission-awards-1618-million-BVLOS-radarairspace-contract-to-Vigilant-Aerospace-to-support-drone-testing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576728-23f65bbbbfadace50135a275c09af0b3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442605&Signature=R6V29-x~II1Js4JGw8k2OyePodGft4BYcpVS20pdtX~taTPjNkNDusgwrxf~UtcE8Ynv6rhhhx50mMDSvozwSxlk1sJpI5w~mc4Blr~nMfMcG2bqLEH9kIeygnXrH~V0HORa7aOW-LOuatEJznAsWbYSfxhO2QrAUeRzucE9pCB3b51jZR9GA3abgHjUof8CY~0zk66xH8ukUdu8OTtLQCcuSYfTj7ZE7XZQ--WQ4-q2-MGlzsQHsz5I7urqo6kt8AX-YBJndYMHKa8~JZDS5ccuqo6ng9iUhW-wWkCP9L1J7hDtv7sXl~kvq6vCtApHJ-rn6U~yfsasJCJEj4xnUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Oklahoma Aerospace and Aeronautics Commission voted Oct. 9 to award a $1,618,000 contract to Vigilant Aerospace Systems Inc. to install radar and related airspace surveillance systems that would support beyond‑visual‑line‑of‑sight (BVLOS) unmanned aircraft operations.

Director Ortiz told commissioners the contract is funded with state UAS infrastructure monies and funds from the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA). “This is a new era for our agency,” Ortiz said, describing the equipment as necessary infrastructure to “sense and avoid” nonparticipating aircraft where ADS‑B is not present.

Why it matters: BVLOS operations are a regulatory and technical threshold for many unmanned systems applications. Staff said the radar infrastructure would supplement ADS‑B coverage and help demonstrate a safety case to the Federal Aviation Administration that would permit BVLOS testing without a chase plane.

Project scope and purpose: Ortiz said the Phase‑1 build will establish a proof‑of‑concept “racetrack” in the sky for testing Kratos systems and other manufacturers. Kratos, which manufactures drones in Oklahoma City, previously relied on expensive chase planes for test flights; staff said the BVLOS infrastructure could reduce or eliminate that requirement.

Commission action: The commission approved entering the contract with Vigilant Aerospace Systems Inc. for $1,618,000. A roll call recorded affirmative votes from Commissioner Seth Phillips, Chairman Charles Ortega, Commissioner Lindy Ritz, Vice Chair Blake Rainey and Commissioner Jerry Hunter. No no or abstentions were called.

Next steps: Staff said Vigilant will proceed with Phase‑1 installation and that the department will coordinate FAA approvals and testing protocols. Ortiz and staff said additional phases and partners may be brought forward as the program proceeds.","The commission approved a contract with Vigilant Aerospace Systems Inc. to install radar and airspace management equipment supporting beyond‑visual‑line‑of‑sight (BVLOS) unmanned aircraft operations near Clinton‑Sherman Airport, a step aimed at enabling Kratos and others to reduce or eliminate chase‑plane requirements for drone testing.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6576731,"Commission weighs legislative agenda: seeks statewide standards for hangar fire suppression and fuel systems, discusses industry incentives",467,346000,813000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3068961-5e093005664f9cd73c426e95ae38cf43&start=346&end=813","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3068961-5e093005664f9cd73c426e95ae38cf43/thumbnail_346000.jpg","/articles/6576731/Oklahoma/Commission-weighs-legislative-agenda-seeks-statewide-standards-for-hangar-fire-suppression-and-fuel-systems-discusses-industry-incentives","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576731-138deca8e94088d36bffe5c802a76126/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442605&Signature=ka1~4~gHfLiFCVtg6d0x81RtVtcEMK8yNk1eTOx5ZAKyXngOg8OjMe5AiON-fd1R7mVetFqY9CL~Rakg1xg8uTuAn443ocYCdPgyY3O3ErQxJjpFdgee0HcWlIMAEDVBc7xTP0LJ4FpODewckyXm6PUi60fR6y~TdAIgOrRRd~dfaLFHmYKN7Wg6K0Mr2K5QrvnJTdYNqmb--CvfHwdNhIHL9QzlhAA-aNRpAX8rAWj~0MMjpzcqvuf4Mcjvpa8Bb~1V-s48aA84sDyQHiWOImTpDmVY6stBJ7jNZwo5hN4kPnbtHVKjOjCXxVouvihNPVagGUsBbDghrmaUSu5blw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Oklahoma Aerospace and Aeronautics Commission discussed a proposed legislative agenda at its Oct. 9 meeting that would pursue statewide standardization of airport hangar fire‑suppression rules and aviation fuel‑system installation requirements, and explore new incentives for aerospace industry growth.

The discussion was led by Director Ortiz, who told commissioners the items were on the commission’s slate for potential insertion into the next legislative session. “We’ll do what the legislature tells us to do,” Ortiz said when asked about possible changes to the commission’s authorities, adding that the exact outcome depends on how lawmakers draft any bill.

Why it matters: inconsistent local interpretation of fire and building codes has produced varied requirements across Oklahoma, creating uncertainty and cost differentials for hangar developers and airport operators. Ortiz said some jurisdictions interpret codes to require foam suppression for certain hangar sizes, while others require only sprinklers or no suppression, and that ambiguity is slowing hangar development in parts of the state.

Commission discussion and examples: Ortiz described recent projects that illustrate the cost effects of different systems: a roughly 15,000‑square‑foot hangar was bid with a base price of about $2,000,000; adding foam suppression as an alternate raised the bid by about $1,400,000, while adding a sprinkler system increased cost by roughly $150,000. Ortiz and commissioners also discussed insurance problems that can follow foam requirements because accidental foam discharges can be highly damaging.

Commissioners pressed for options. Commissioner Ritz asked whether the commission has authority to set statewide standards rather than leave decisions to local building code adoptions; Ortiz said building codes are adopted locally and that the commission is exploring whether statutory language, an advisory memo, or another approach is appropriate.

Fuel systems and related infrastructure: The commission also discussed standardizing aviation fuel‑system installation requirements. Ortiz said differing interpretations of non‑aviation fuel standards have driven costs—examples included requirements for protective bollards or separate fencing and access that added tens of thousands of dollars to projects. He said staff has begun early conversations with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission about a state aviation fuel standard.

Industry incentives and other agenda items: Staff outlined two possible incentives to attract and grow aerospace firms: (1) incentives to support construction of SCIFs (secure facilities required for classified Department of Defense work), which can cost two to three times a standard commercial building; and (2) incentives to offset costs of Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), where initial certification and ongoing maintenance can cost small firms tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Ortiz said both ideas are under discussion with lawmakers.

Other proposed changes include placing the department’s five‑year airport construction program into statute (Title 3, Sec. 85 was cited as the relevant portion of state law) and advancing policy language from Oklahoma’s Advanced Air Mobility strategic plan on vertiports and integration of emerging aviation technologies.

Outcome: After discussion staff sought approval to proceed developing the agenda language; commissioners voted to approve moving the slate forward for further work and potential drafting for the upcoming session.","The Oklahoma Aerospace and Aeronautics Commission reviewed a proposed legislative agenda that includes efforts to standardize hangar fire‑suppression and aviation fuel‑system installation requirements, plus possible incentives for SCIF construction and CMMC cybersecurity certification support for small aerospace firms.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Commission approves minutes, grants, contracts, dues and director pay increase

Commission awards $1.618 million BVLOS radar/airspace contract to Vigilant Aerospace to support drone testing

Commission weighs legislative agenda: seeks statewide standards for hangar fire suppression and fuel systems, discusses industry incentives